THE LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM

THE LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM:

The locomotor system is made up of the skeleton, joints and muscles.

1.THE SKELETON:

•Function: to support and give shape to our body; to protect our internal organs.

•It is made up of bones (hard bone tissue) and cartilage (flexible tissue).

•Types of bones:

   -Short and wide (vertebrae): support and stability. 

  -Flat and thin (ribs): protect our internal organs.

  -Long and strong (arms and legs bones): movement.

2.JOINTS:

•Ligaments (strong, elastic tissue) connect bones at the joints.

•Types of joints:

  -Fixed joints: join bones in our skull. No movement.

  -Semi-flexible joints: vertebrae in our spine. Some movement.

  -Flexible joints: Neck, shoulders (the most flexible), elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and waist.   A lot of movement.

3.MUSCLES:

•Function: Muscles give our body shape and respond to the nervous system contracting and relaxing.

•Tendons (tissues) connect muscles to bones.

•Types of muscles:

  -voluntary: we can move them at will (the muscles in our arms).

  -involuntary: muscles move automatically  (the muscles  in our heart)